HTAC

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Article I: Name and Purpose

The purpose of this particular student organization shall be to produce quality in all arenas of theatre. The intended results of this organization will be to not only enrich the participants, but the University and its surrounding community as a whole. This group shall be named Harrington Theatre Arts Company (HTAC). HTAC is under and compliant to the rules and regulations of the Student Activities Office, and as a result, the University of Delaware.

Article II: Membership

A. General Membership: Any full time matriculated student of the University of Delaware who agrees with the object and purpose of HTAC and who has attended at least one meeting (general or otherwise) is considered a member. If a member of the community wishes to become a member of HTAC, it must be passed majority of the HTAC Coordinator Board.

B. Voting Membership: For one to become a voting member, one must meet the requirements outlined in Article IV.

C. Non-Undergraduate Membership: If a member meets all of the requirements outlined in Article IV but is not a matriculated undergraduate student, then they obtain all rights given to voting members except for the right to vote or serve as a coordinator or chair position. If they desire, they can petition for these rights and the coordinator board will appeal to the University.

D. Coordinator Board: To be elected for a coordinator position, one must be a voting member and a matriculated student at the University of Delaware. To be elected for the position of President, one must be a current HTAC coordinator. In the condition that there are no nominations for a certain position on the board, any general members interested in running for the position may petition to the coordinator board for the eligibility to run. These conditions may be waived by the coordinator board in extenuating circumstances.

E. Alumni: Any person that is no longer a matriculated undergraduate student at the University of Delaware and was at one time a general member as defined by Article II, Section A is an alumnus.

Article III: Voting

A. Primary Vote: Any vote which greatly alters the future of the company is a primary vote. Secret ballot will be used and the results counted by two impartial coordinators [as determined by the President]. Only voting members are allowed to participate and at least 10 must cast ballots. Simple majority determines the result. In the case that one option does not receive more than ½ of the vote, a run-off election between the two options that received the most votes will take place. This vote will be used for, but is not excluded to, voting on coordinator elections, show voting and voting on amendments.

B. Secondary Vote: Any vote that is part of the day-to-day operations and procedures of the company is a secondary vote. Any general member may participate. Simple majority determines the result. In the case that one option does not receive more than ½ of the vote, a run-off election between the two options that received the most votes will take place. This vote will be used for, but is not excluded to, voting on social event decisions.

C. Major Vote: Any primary vote deemed so critical to the future of the company and that a 2/3 majority is necessary is a major vote. This vote will be used for, but is not excluded to, coordinator impeachments.

D. Executive Decision: The Coordinator Board has the right to decide what type of vote classification will be used for all issues and events that call for voting, but are not listed.

E. Voting Process: Votes will be collected and counted by two impartial non-voting coordinators. They will make an irrefutable attempt to ensure that voting is impartial and educated.

F. Primary Vote Tie: In the event that more than two candidates are being voted on (for a show, the coordinator board, etc.) and a tie occurs, the tied candidates will be subject to a revote by the voting members. If a tie exists when there are only two candidates being voted on, the vote-counter who is higher in the gavel order will cast the deciding vote.

G. Coordinator Board Voting Procedures: In order for an option to pass, it must gain more than ½ of the vote. In the event that an option does not receive more than ½ of the vote, a run-off election between the two options that received the most votes will take place. The President only votes in the case of a tie. In the case that a vote concerns a member of the coordinator board, a forum, excluding that member, must be initiated by the highest ranking member of the gavel order in order to discuss the vote. Should any coordinator board member motion to have a secret ballot for a coordinator vote, secret ballots shall be cast. In the event of a secret ballot via email, the Webmaster will collect votes.

Article IV: Voting Stipulations

In order to obtain voting rights, one of the following four options must be fulfilled in its entirety:

Option 1: A member attends three general HTAC meetings and participates in two activities/events. Activities/events include kiosks, publicity stunts, selling concessions at an HTAC show, ushering for an HTAC show, attending an HTAC show, attending tech days and others at the discretion of the coordinator board. Pit members, light/sound operators and run crew will receive one event/activity credit for each performance in which they participate.

Option 2: A member is a part of a cast or p-staff of an HTAC show and fulfills all of their responsibilities. Responsibilities include attending move-in, attending strike, attending at least one tech day, attending a portion of a publicity stunt and submitting a post-show report.

Option 3: A member participates in five activities/events. (See activities/events listed above.)

Option 4: Petitioning the Coordinator Board. If extenuating circumstances preclude a member from meeting the requirements for the other options above, they may petition the Coordinator Board by way of formal e-mail submitted by the date and time of the Coordinator meeting prior to the general meeting where the voting will take place.

At the end of the semester, two free tickets will be awarded.  For both tickets, all voting member's names will be put into a raffle to win.

Article V: Executive Officers, Committees, and Officials

The Coordinator Board is the governing body of the company. The Coordinator Board oversees all HTAC productions. The Coordinator Board is responsible for attending all Coordinator meetings, weekly office hours, and move-in and strike.

A. President: S/he shall call, open, run, and close all general meetings. S/he is charged with maintaining rule and order at all general meetings. S/he is the only non-voting member of the Coordinator Board in general voting. If there is a tie between the coordinators, then the President will be the tie-breaking vote.

B. Vice President: S/he shall open and run all Coordinator Board meetings. In the absence of the President, the VP will assume the President’s responsibilities. S/he will be the liaison between the Coordinator Board and the general membership. S/he will also be the liaison between the Coordinator Board and the Production Staff(s) of the current show(s).

C. Treasurer: S/he maintains the company’s checking account. All funds available to HTAC are to be checked and monitored by the Treasurer. All transactions are to be recorded into a permanent ledger.

D. Secretary: S/he is responsible for handling all official correspondence within the group. Permanent copies of all correspondence should be kept by him/her. S/he is responsible for minutes of all executive and general meetings and recording attendance. S/he is also responsible for the distribution and collection of absentee ballots.

E. Technical Coordinator: S/he is responsible for the proper maintenance and inventory of all HTAC storage space, tools, musical equipment and theatrical equipment. The Technical Coordinator should keep a close relationship with the current technical production staff.

F. Publicity Coordinator: S/he is responsible for the publicity of the company in general. S/he should maintain contact with the current publicity head of the production staff. S/he is also responsible for organizing a publicity stunt for each HTAC show.

G. Social Coordinator: S/he is responsible for initiating and planning all HTAC social events. S/he must also organize social events with other University student organizations if such an event is desired.

H. Alumni/Historian: S/he is the liaison between the company and the alumni. S/he should maintain an up-to-date alumni listing. S/he is responsible for sending out an alumni letter each semester. S/he is also responsible for the company scrapbook and memorabilia.

I. Fundraising Coordinator: S/he is not a member of the Coordinator Board, but must keep the Coordinator Board updated periodically with any updates or events. S/he is responsible for purchasing any items to be sold at productions, as well as planning periodic fundraisers for the group.

J: Webmaster: S/he is not a member of the Coordinator Board, but must keep the Coordinator Board updated periodically with any updates. S/he is responsible for updating the website in a timely manner with relevant information about HTAC and its productions.

K. Faculty Advisor: The Coordinator Board is responsible for nominating a person(s) for the position of Faculty Advisor. The general membership shall select only one via a Primary Vote. The Faculty Advisor shall act in accordance with the Faculty Advisor Handbook. The Faculty Advisor is responsible for attending the semi-formal and the formal.

Article VI: Coordinator Resignation

In the case that someone on the current board resigns before board elections, the President will overtake the duties of that board position until an election for said position is held. In the case that the President resigns, the Vice President will take the responsibilities until a new person is elected. Nominations for the position will take place the general meeting immediately after the person holding the position resigned. One week after nominations a person will be elected for the position and all duties will be given to the person elected. All coordinator resignations are final.

Article VII: Disciplinary Code

Disciplinary action shall be taken when any individual or group of individuals commits a violation. Refer to Article VII in the Bylaws.

Article VIII: Amendments and Bylaws

Amendments can be made, altered or removed to/from the HTAC Constitution/Bylaws via a Primary Vote.